The University of Otago's graduation ceremonies will not go ahead tomorrow following advice from the police.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Two of the university's ceremonies earlier this week had already been called off after a threat made against attendees. Today's planned Otago Polytechnic graduation was also postponed.
Neither the university nor police have confirmed the nature of the threat, but it has been widely reported it involved a shooting.
University of Otago vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne said the decision to postpone would be incredibly disappointing for everyone who had made plans and for some it was their third attempt to graduate.
"My heart goes out to you all. This has been a difficult decision and I hope that you will find ways to celebrate," Professor Hayne said.
"The depth of feeling has been only too real over the previous few days. No one deserved this, particularly the young people from the University and Polytech who were expecting to celebrate their graduations at the Town Hall this week."
Hayne said police advised that all on-campus events, including graduation events like Māori pre-graduation, were able to continue.
Graduands will be able to pick up their certificates and details about that will be sent directly to graduands, she said.
"As is the case with Wednesday's graduations that were postponed, the University will plan for a replacement ceremony for tomorrow's graduations for 2021."
Students at the polytechnic yesterday said they were gutted.
The University of Otago said next week's graduations ceremonies on 16 December and 19 December would still go ahead as planned.
Hayne said the one "huge positive" she was taking away from this week was the strength and resilience of the tertiary community in North Dunedin.
"In particular, the students have been incredibly magnanimous and have taken care of each other and their friends and whānau. They certainly didn't let the horrible situation stop them from celebrating their special day in a very Otago way. The manaakitanga and creative improvisation in how they chose to celebrate is unique to our community here in Dunedin."
